The latest option for owners of Challenger 604 business jets is the enhanced version of the Safe Flight AutoPower system, which was installed and certified under a supplemental type certificate by Bombardier Business Aviation Services in Tucson, Ariz. The system will be offered as an option on new production aircraft or a retrofit item on older 604s.
John Race, director of flight operations for Bombardier, pointed out that the Enhanced Automatic Throttle System developed by Safe Flight Instrument of White Plains, N.Y., “ties together and enhances all of the features of the Rockwell Collins Pro Line 4 automatic flight control system, which in itself represents a finely tuned blend between engineering capability and pilot need for flight guidance and control.” He added, “Handling is very smooth and precise and the system keeps airspeed within a range of five knots, even during hard capture.”